Easy Craft Idea: Homemade Denim Coasters

Easy Craft Idea: Homemade Denim Coasters
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Denim Coasters: An Easy Craft Idea

If you have a lot of denim pants that have holes in the knees yet are intact everywhere else, you have the perfect material for making blue jean crafts. One free and easy denim craft idea is to make coasters out of your family’s worn out blue jeans. Recycling your scrap denim fabric into free denim crafts is a great way to save money and to protect the planet. To get started making your denim coasters, you’ll need a metal straight edged ruler, a pencil, straight pins, a needle, some navy blue thread and a pair of sharp scissors.

Cut the Denim Fabric Squares

Lay the torn denim down on a clean, clear workspace. Then use the ruler to measure a 6 inch square on the denim fabric. Work to keep the edges of the square at right angles. Make as many 6 inch squares on the torn denim jeans as you can. Cut out the squares with your scissors and stack them up. Remove one of the denim squares from the stack. Fold over one edge of the denim and pin it down. Fold over the edge on the opposite side and pin it. Then pin the other two edges. Thread your needle and tie the thread on so that it won’t come loose. Starting at the back of the denim coaster, insert the needle into one of the corners and then bring it back through.

Hem the Denim Coaster

Tie a knot at the end of the of the thread to hold it in place. Be sure to leave a length of thread hanging at the corner of the denim coaster. Begin sewing a basic hem across the edge of the denim coaster. Work your way all around the coaster until all edges of the denim have been hemmed. Then begin sewing back in the opposite direction, retracing the hem you sewed before. Continue until you reach the length of thread you left at the corner. Tie this off with the other end of the thread and cut it off. Repeat these steps to make as many denim coasters as you like.

Easy Decorating Ideas for Your Denim Coaster

Next, you can decorate your coasters any way you like. For best results, use craft or fabric paint that’s been diluted with water. Place the denim coaster down on a piece of plastic to protect your work space. Use a brush to apply attractive designs such as flowers, animals or abstract patterns. Allow the paint to dry completely. When your denim coaster is finished, you’ll be able to throw it in the clothes washer whenever it gets soiled. This free craft project doesn’t take much time or effort, so you can make new denim coasters whenever you want them. Be sure to get your kids involved in this easy craft project. For more recycled cloth craft projects, read How to Recycle Old Clothes.

Sources:

About.com: “Running Stitch Q&A” https://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa040905.htm